September 2016

I was appalled to learn this week that the Tories intend to push ahead with a vote to repeal the ban on fox hunting. Hunting with dogs was banned by Labour in 2005 in reaction to the strength of public feeling against the cruelty of wild animals being chased, often to the point of exhaustion, before being purposely set upon …

On Thursday 15th September I asked the Transport Secretary if he believed that current legislation for taxis and private hire vehicles is adequate for the 21st Century given technological advancements in how we use private hire vehicle services. The main legal framework governing taxi services has not undergone any significant reform for nearly 200 years. Private hire services legislation is more recent, …

This month in my role as Shadow Prisons Minister I gave the Labour Party’s response at a Westminster Hall Debate on Prison Safety. The debate was secured by Chair of the Justice Select Committee and MP for Bromley and Chislehurst Bob Neil, and focused on the Justice Select Committee’s report into prison safety which was published in May 2016 and …

On the same day as postal workers took industrial action against the Post Office, I called on the Leader of the House to secure a debate into the recent actions and spending of the Post Office. This year alone post office workers will see 2,000 job losses, a further 100 branches close and the closure of their pension scheme. Services …

This week I was delighted to accept an invitation to become a patron of CÂN Cymru. Founded in 2016 by Luke Fletcher, a student at Cardiff University, CÂN Cymru are a new organisation seeking to improve the quality of life of those suffering from Alzheimer’s through reminiscent therapy. Currently their flagship initiative is the use of music as a means for reminiscent therapy. …

Women from Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) are organising a march to deliver a letter on the issue to Alun Cairns MP, Secretary of State for Wales, at the Wales Office, 1 Caspian Point, Caspian Way, Cardiff CF10 4DQ. Women will be meeting at 12 noon on Friday 16th September outside the front of the Senedd (the National Assembly …

Bacchus Partners Ltd, the developers of the site of the former Gower Pub have produced their new plans. Following objections from your Cathays Labour Councillors, Jenny Rathbone AM and many local residents, the previous proposals for 24 apartments on this site were refused. Following a recent design consultation with local residents and stakeholders, the new plans are for 10 red …

I am pleased to be hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning at Rhydypennau Library on September 30th. The coffee morning will be running from 9am to 11am and there will be a selection of drinks and cakes for sale to help raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care. This is the perfect chance to catch up over a cuppa and a slice of cake …

Today in Justice Questions I asked the Justice Secretary what she is doing to improve the numbers of prison officers recruited in our public prisons, and called on the Justice Secretary to hold an urgent review quality of pre-sentence reports for the courts following the Government’s privatisation of the probation sector. The number of frontline officers working in public-sector prisons …

Work on the exciting redevelopment of the Powerhouse to create the new Llanedeyrn Hub is starting the week commencing September 12th. This means there will be a number of changes for current services and activities in the Powerhouse. From mid-October, public access to the Powerhouse will be moved to the side entrance to the main hall, away from construction works …